How to Pick the Right Major or Career in High School Before Going to College: Don’t Be Undecided

You’ve just declared your major as a junior in college and found out that some of your classes don’t count. You need new pre-requisites, and you’ll be in college for a total of six years.

It’s not far-fetched. Declaring your major late can have far-reaching effects. It can cost thousands of dollars more in tuition, delay graduation, add to lost revenue by keeping you out of the workforce and even require a transfer to a college better suited to your newfound major.

You can save yourself a lot of trouble if you choose a major before you choose a college.

Choosing a Major Before Picking a College

Take Personality Tests. Only 15% of high schools offer these tests, but they can prove valuable in determining your career interests and discovering jobs that meet your talents. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Do What You Are, and other tests are a great start.

Internships and Summer Jobs. If possible, get an internship in a field that interests you. If that fails, apply for related summer jobs. Both are valuable, but the internship will likely provide additional training and won’t end when summer does.

Volunteering. If you can’t get a paid position, try volunteering. If you’re interested in medicine, volunteer at a hospital; if you’re interested in animal care, try The Humane Society or local animal shelter. It’s valuable work experience and lets you test-drive a career.

Online Courses. Online courses are a great introduction to what you could be studying for the next four years, so test your ability at the college level. Are your math skills strong enough? Your language skills? Are you really all that interested in animal physiology or investigative journalism?

Career Research. Talk with people in careers that interest you and watch videos of people discussing their jobs. Get the best information on educational requirements, salary expectations, hiring prospects, and more. Make sure you have access to the most up-to-date information.

Realistic Expectations. Make sure that the major, college, and career you choose match your personality and job skills. Crime scene investigator may look like a cool job on TV, but are you up to it in the real world? Archaeology may sound exciting, but can you sift through sand for hours at a time? Interest and ability surveys, along with other personality tests, help determine what you’re best able to do.

Declare Your Major Early

Some of the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) may require you to declare your major sophomore year, but often you don’t have to declare a major until junior year. That doesn’t mean you have to wait that long. Knowing what you want to do early lets you work ahead of schedule. Getting your prerequisites out of the way, even as electives, keeps you motivated, helps you graduate on time, saves you money, and possibly lets you pick a double major.

Explore your academic and professional interests in high school and junior high with a guidance counselor or college prep expert. The earlier you prepare, the more likely you are to achieve your goals. Part of that means knowing your major before you choose a college. Nearly 30% of college freshmen are undecided, and 44% change majors at least once. You don’t want to be in either category. Take personality tests, consider career options, and be college ready when it’s time to go to college.